Putin and the West

[Kwacky]

It's a bit of a long read, but if you're into politics it's worth a read as I suspect this will have an impact on all our lives over the next decade

http://www.politico.eu/article/putin-tr ... -analysis/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

In brief, Putin is playing a long game trying to destabilise politics and economics in the USA and Europe. We're so far behind in our thinking that we've not spotted what Russia has been up to. Russia cannot afford a direct war, although they have the numbers to do so, but people who live in the bordering countries are preparing for a Soviet style invasion once the US pulls out of supporting NATO and Europe.

Modern war is not about large armies rolling acorss the countryside, it's done from offices with people who have never picked up a gun. Information is the best weapon and the Russians are very good at mixing truth with lies.

[D41]

If....and it's a big 'if', Russia has any real ambitions at re-establishing it's old Soviet-style shell 'empire', then it won't be much more than that. It's old satellite nations are still pretty much tied to Mother Russia both geographically, and politically, despite the sign over the door being different.
Post WWII NATO paranoia notwithstanding, Russia may have numbers and materiel, but lacks the ability to project itself militarily.......Afghanistan was a case in point - and if it was unable to conquer a Third World tribal nation on it's borders, I don't see it having much sway against The West.....this stuff merely deflects attention away from Russia's own internal problems.

IMO.

[Kwacky]

I agree with your last sentence. It's a small economy given the size of Russia, the manpower and the resources available. It's a badly managed country which means that there's a lot of money not being made which could and should be.

Russia has a massive armed force at it's disposal. There's a lot of old tech there but they've invested heavily in new weapons of war. I wouldn't use an 80s campaign against a country that's never been invaded as a sign of the ability of the current regime.

[D41]

Well yes, but our own concern here is the threat to ourselves from Russia....what about their own perception of threat from us?? The country is....'dilapidated'...I can't think of a better way of putting it.
From a military standpoint, they're at least a generation behind The West equipment-wise....and a few high-tech items in the arsenal is neither here-nor-there......you're only as good as your weakest link, because that's the first one to break, and then everything else in the chain unravels, etc.

On paper, Russia has always had some cool sh*t...the reality is that most of it is junk. The nuclear weapons were nearly all non-functional crap, they may have had some cool innovations, but they're not much different to the 'wonder weapons' that the Axis had.....too little, and too late. Too bad.

PS....if ever you get the chance...try an AK on full auto....they're fcuking epic!!!!

[Kwacky]

I see Russia is saying it's reducing its presence in Syria now that the government is set to win.

Why are they leaving behind anti aircraft missiles?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-38528654" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Monty]

Turkey?

[Kwacky]

I thought Russia was there to deal with ISIS and those opposing the Syrian regime? Neither of those groups have got aircraft.

[D41]

You take all your guns to a gunfight??
I mean they didn't even need them in the first place.
I'm sure they know what they're doing.

[Monty]

I thought Russia was there to deal with ISIS and those opposing the Syrian regime? Neither of those groups have got aircraft.

Turkey shot down a Russian plane and they are supporting opposite sides

[Monty]

I'm only guessing, I haven't got a fudge!

[D41]

Perhaps hedging their bets as to whoever ends up in control will be at the very least a bit sympathetic towards Russia???
They.re their own weapons. They know how to defeat them better than anyone....?

[Kwacky]

The point I'm making (clearly very badly) is if we're to believe that Russia is only there to help Syria and that Russia is now starting to reduce it's presence there, why the chuff would they have SAMs in the first and then leave them behind.

It's clear evidence that Russia intends to have a military presence in the Middle East. Something Russia has denied for years and something Russia has slagged the USA off for doing.

[D41]

Oh...I thought you were asking why because you didn't know.

[D6]

I thought russia had built thousands of that new tank. Armand or something. And had sent them to the borders.? Some new modern tank that shits on the abrahms

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

[D41]

They have just over 100 of them.

Nothing goes poopoo on the Abrams. Nothing.

And Russia may be big and armed, but they ain't stoopid, y'all.

[Kwacky]

If the USA and Russia want a war can't they do it via Siberia and Alaska and leave us Europeans out of it?

[D41]

Because "Raid On Kamchatka" doesn't have much of a ring to it....?

No-one lives in either of those places...and the few people that do spend their entire lives drowning in vodka.

[StMarks]

soooooo,,,,,, I wonder what is "the west" is going to do when Vlad's team have gained control over Ukraine.?

Jump up & down, shake their fists & shout a lot.??

[Kwacky]

There's nothing they can do.

I suspect of Russia does invade it'll be limited to the contested areas along the border

[Jack]

If they go into Ukraine then I imagine they will want a direct land route to the Crimea